At last, I got the time to write this review. You know, like this anime, real-life can be full of surprises and sometimes just frustrate you for no reason. Did I just say A Sign Of Affection can be frustrating? Well, yes, Oushi uncannily reflect how some people that I know.

The two previous episode really showed how much of a jerk Oushi can be to Yuki, despite his good intentions. But, we slowly get to the idea of what kind of person he is in this episode. Especially, when he finally meets Itsuomi in person.

Speaking of Itsuomi, he and Yuki are going on a double date along with Kyouya and Rin. I wasn’t sure on how Itsuomi feels about Yuki. But, seeing other people react to how he treats Yuki, it’s now obvious to me Itsuomi does have something going on for her. But, before that, let’s go over what this episode is all about.

Opening A New Chapter In The Story?

I think this episode is a turning point for many of the characters. Emma discovered Yuki’s notes in Itsuomi’s place. Surely, she will figure out from whom he got it sooner than later.

While Emma knows Itsuomi longer than Yuki, he just doesn’t see her that way. Just wait until she discovers Itsuomi and Yuki are going on a double date with Kyouya and Rin. I wonder how she will react to that.

The main reason why I said I’m now sure about Itsuomi is we see Yuki got a coin from him, I guess it’s a Laotian coin. Well, it may seem like a quirky souvenir any backpacker loves to collect. But, it’s a sign that he begins to open up to Yuki.

A Sudden Confrontation

However, Itsuomi and Yuki’s romantic development might be a disaster for a certain someone. Well, of course it would be Oushi. His confrontation with Itsuomi kind of gave me the chills. Thank god, it’s a shoujo anime. If it’s a real life situation, there is no guarantee they won’t make a scene.

I’ve been on the two ends of this situation. All that I will say, it can end ugly, especially if it happens to young and immature college students. I’m glad this situation goes better than I expected, but both of the guys still do something odd.

Oushi calls Yuki “idiot” when he walks away. That’s completely unnecessary, really. But, what’s interesting is Itsuomi makes sure Yuki doesn’t see their conversation. I don’t know what’s up with that. Is it him trying to protect Oushi’s image, or is it him just not wanting Yuki to get involved. Moreover, when she asks about it, Itsuomi won’t answer.

Itsuomi has proved himself to be a more subtle person than I thought. He’s not someone who would think of nothing when a guy hastily approaches his crush. It’s just he’s better at hiding it, especially when compared to Oushi. On that note, I have something in mind about him after watching this episode.

This Anime’s Mistake? Or Is It Intentional?

You know, the things that I’ve said about Oushi can be a bit harsh. But, there are other people online that way, way harsher. He’s already a sort of disliked character, and now the anime is showing him being all clingy to Yuki.

Oushi’s clinginess can split the audience into two, though. On one hand, I can see he could redeem himself and learn to be nicer to Yuki. He’s sort of expressing what he feels about her here, albeit without saying a single word.

On the other hand, it’s either “why now?” or it’s the whole personal space invasion thing all over again. Oushi is her childhood friend, right? However, they rarely spend time together as grown-ups. So, what’s all this being clingy to her going to serve him?

That being said. Just like any other anime, I suspect A Sign Of Affection will give us a some kind of flashback. You know, to give a background story for Oushi, so we can understand why he is this way. I think it would be such a waste to make him a comically tsundere character.

The Double Date

Okay, let’s end this review with a slightly more heartwarming note, shall we? In fact, this part is the highlight of the episode. The double date with Kyouya and Rin. I practically had the same reaction as the two when I saw Itsuomi and Yuki arrived holding hands. This anime is getting lovey-dovey than ever before and I love it.

For the whole time they’re shopping, the two seem so close. I suspect even Rin forgets that she’s with her crush too. How Kyouya and Rin awkwardly stared at Itsuomi and Yuki is just too funny. There’s nothing cuter and better to lighten up the day than the chibi expressions in this anime.

For the entire time they’re shopping, the two seem so close. I suspect even Rin forgets that she’s with her crush too. How Kyouya and Rin awkwardly stared at Itsuomi and Yuki is just too funny. There’s nothing cuter and better to lighten up the day than the chibi expressions in this anime.

But, hold on. I genuinely didn’t expect the cliffhanger at the end. By the time these four are done shopping, Itsuomi proposed an interesting idea to Rin. She could just go home with Kyouya, so Itsuomi can also leave with Yuki.

I know he wants that, but he’s so subtle and pushes the idea to Rin so it’s not obvious to Rin that he actually wants to go home with Yuki. You know, Itsuomi is a fascinating character, maybe later I will write full on analysis of him.

But for now, the big surprise is, when Yuki asks him to go eat together. Itsuomi invites her to drop by his place and eat there instead, and the episode ends there. Oh, come on!